Anyone else with trichotillomania?

[MCH2012]

Hi! I never was diagnosed with trichotillomania but I have general anxiety disorder for as long as I can remember. I’m 36 now and I’m on anxiety medication for 7 years. My habit of pulling my hair has been going on since I was a kid but ever since covid and being home since March I haven’t stopped and it has got worse to the point now I have bald spots and I go for my scalp now. It’s frustrating because I want to stop because I can’t look In the mirror anymore. Any one else in the same boat and/or maybe have any helpful ideas to help me stop!

 

[MainerMikeBrown]

When I was about eight years old, I went through a phase in which I often yanked the hair on my head. It was a nervous habit. As a result, my hair started to thin out some.

So my parents and a school nurse told me to stop doing that, which I did after they told me to stop.

 

[MCH2012]

Wow that’s good.

 

[AlmedaRose]

No, but I have had Dermatillomania for years. You can have generalized anxiety and a disorder like these as well. I think of it as a displacement of nervous energy. Problem is that it can also become a habit.

 

[MCH2012]

Yes unfortunately.

 

[anxiousmenina]

You poor thing, I'm sorry to read this. I don't have your condition but I will bite my nails til they bleed or scratch my head (which naturally brings out hair) when I'm at my worst. Maybe the first step is to really be conscious of when you are doing it and set a rule: every time I go to pull my hair, I have to do something else. I found that doing some cooking or a bit of drawing or calligraphy helps because not only am I distracted but I literally have my hands tied with something else. Also I know I won't do these things while out and about in front of other people, so a long walk outdoors might also help. Take care!

 

[MCH2012]

Thank you! I’ll try that..sitting home during quarantine is hard!